Welcome to The Heart Centered Homeschool. Today we will be discussing our summer homeschool plans and how we approach summer learning at home.

Summer Homeschool Plans: It’s Summer!!!

It’s Summer….well almost! It seems that each day I am seeing more and more of those adorable last day of school photos on social media. I especially love the side by side comparisons of the first day of school v.s. the last, it’s amazing just how much children grow in a single school year.

A lot can be said about social media, see my post titled: The Burden of Comparison in Homeschooling here but, it is truly a joy to witness all the ways in which families evolve throughout the year.

Some families welcomed new additions and learned to navigate homeschooling with a newborn, others homeschooled (or even road schooled) through job and location changes, and others homeschooled through illness, injury, grief, or loss of community.

I have seen a lot of transition in my own little sphere of homeschooling and I have been deeply inspired by the perseverance and the growth I have witnessed despite the various challenges so many families were met with.

Summer Homeschool Plans: Taking an Inventory

While not every homeschooling family takes a conventional summer break, this time of year does feel like a good opportunity to take inventory; not only of our dwindling homeschool supplies (seriously, where do all the scissors and tape go) but also an inventory of ourselves.

Even in the most ideal circumstances, the latter months of the school year can feel really wearisome. It’s good to check in from time to time and to prayerfully consider what’s working and what isn’t and to seek the Lord’s guidance and wisdom.

There are certainly going to be seasons of homeschooling that feel a bit more arduous than others but the goal for many of us (I assume) is that we enjoy the process of home educating our kids. If we are finding homeschooling particularly challenging; now is a good time to evaluate why.

Proverbs 3:6 says: “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Summer Homeschool Plans: More of What We Need:

After a long and difficult year last year, I jumped right back into busy life as soon as I was able. Granted, we have been busy with good things, many of which are centered around our faith but I do not want to forget the lessons that I learned sitting at the feet of Jesus.

As a mom, homeschooling or not; it’s quite easy to make an idol out of productivity. We tend to view the days we get the most done as the “better” days. But, I am learning all the time that more does not necessarily equal better.

Evaluating how we steward our time and our energy offers us the opportunity to reflect upon how we are filling our days and helps us to determine what might be eliminated so that we can have more of what we actually need.

Summer Homeschool Plans: Abiding in the Vine

During Bible Study this year, we studied the book of John. In John 15:1 Jesus says, “I am the true vine.” In verses 15:4-5 Jesus continues “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.“

 Meditating on this verse has helped to clarify my focus and to hone my energy. It is a perpetual discipline; a constant relinquishing of my own will. Abiding in Him provides us with the ability to draw from Him what we need and in doing so bear good fruit in our homes and homeschools.

It sounds simple enough but many of us really struggle with this and are often overwhelmed and overburdened as a result of attempting to do everything in our own strength. When truly, what we are instructed to do with our strength is to love the Lord. (Mark 12:30.)

Summer Homeschool Plans: What We Do

The summer months are a good opportunity for rest and recalibration, even if you do not take a full break.

Our family will continue homeschooling throughout the summer. We definitely reduce our hours but I prefer to keep up with Language Arts, Math, and Reading. You can view my summer book list here. We also really enjoy our Social Studies and Science curriculum so, we will be including those as well.

We keep up with Bible Study year-round and the kids are excited to attend VBS this summer.

We also get a lot of enjoyment and education from our garden and a ton of P.E. at the pool.

Each season has its charms, but we really do love homeschooling in the summer.

Summer Homeschool Plans: Integrating New Skills Into Our Routine

Having a respite from some of our outside activities and commitments also gives us the opportunity to integrate new skills into our routine, so that when life picks back up; we have good systems already in place.

In the midst of our busier months, it can feel difficult to find the time to teach new skills and allow the children the time needed to do them.

When I prayerfully reflected upon this past year of life and learning in our home, I realized that this is an area that needs my attention.

My default mode is worker bee, so I tend to just get things done. However, in doing so I am taking opportunities from the children to develop important life skills. We know that chores for example; are not simply menial task but rather valueable lessons in time management, executive functioning, organization, tidiness, and discipline.

We also know that service and generosity are key attributes of our Christian faith.

These practices, like so many others begin at home so they should not be overlooked but rather regarded as an important component of a holistic home education. An education wherein we are not only training the mind, but considering the whole person.

So, what are your summer homeschool plans? Do you Homeschool throughout the summer or take a break? I would love to know!